CHAPTER 4: England, I’ll Be There Soon

Less than 90-days till take off!
I’d better start packing…

But what to pack for 30-days on the go, living out of a suitcase? Any suggestions? What’s your ‘can’t travel without it’ item?

The original plan was a roll-aboard and a small pack. Now I’m considering a checked bag and a daypack. When I realized I have activities ranging from 5-star dining to a 10-mile canoe trip, my simple wardrobe list became a bit more complicated.

I need to take my working life with me also. Laptop, tripod, 3-cameras, chargers, GPS, cables, and batteries have to make the journey along with my evening slippers. With 3-months till take-off, I have plenty of time to figure it out.

During April I added Bath, Cornwall, and Kent to my itinerary.

The Circus in Bath

In Bath, I’ll be taking an extraordinary tour with Around & About Bath. They curate immersive journeys for travelers wishing to ‘connect with the past, and discover authentic England.’ I’ll also learn of a local connection to a US founding father.

“Our Stonehenge and Secret Somerset tour combines a visit to one of the most iconic ancient structures in the world with a journey into ‘secret Somerset,’ to discover stunning countryside, sleepy villages, tiny backroads and more.

We visit Stonehenge first thing in the morning where you’ll enjoy a personal, guided tour, before heading off the well-worn path and into ‘hidden’ England to experience country lanes, curious sheep, and stunning countryside and wood before stopping for a fabulous lunch in an atmospheric country inn. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring villages, churches and an ancient ruin (April to November) and learning of the local stories that bring these places to life.

Finally, we’ll finish the day with tea in either a lost English walled garden or, depending on the weather, a 700-year-old country inn burdened with old tales of its own.”

Go to Visit Bath to learn more about this destiation, built for pleasure and relaxation.

Cornwall fishing boat at low tide

Cornwall will be my Cornish home for a few days. I’ll be exploring the towns of Padstow, Newquay, St Ives, Penzance, Falmouth, and others I discover as I wander the backroads in my Fiat 500 or other tiny hire-car.

Meanwhile go to Visit Cornwalland discover the land where the legends of King Arthur were born in North Cornwall.

The White Cliffs of Dover

I’ve added 3-days in Kent. Hever Castle; Kent’s vineyards in the west; Canterbury, and Whitstable (famous for oysters – YUM) will top-off my time on the east coast. I’m still in the planning stages for ‘England’s Garden’.

Kent is less than an hour from London by train and sports many, many quick links to Europe via boat, ferry, train, and bus under the Chunnel.

Kent is one of the best UK destinations for day trips and weekend getaways. Said to have some of the best beaches in Europe, art galleries, stately homes, family attractions, and more than 4,000 hiking and cycling trails. – WOW.
Go to Visit Kentfor inspiration and ideas for your visit to the Garden of England..

I’ll be visiting here and including it in my story, Rooftop London, a piece featuring the best rooftop places to eat, sleep, and play. The space is ideal for alfresco dining and Lebanese cuisine. The rooftop terrace will be a definitive summer spot south of the river.

Hotel overview – Located on the South Bank of the River Thames, the hotel offers one-of-a-kind views over the river, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye.

There are 142 rooms, including six suites, with fabulous, unobstructed city and river views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Book a room here, or call +44 (0)7377 513 313.